Intergovernmental Relations Committee Meeting: BAMC Support Resolution and 90th Legislative Program (September 29, 2026)

The Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the San Antonio City Council met on September 29, 2026, at 2:08 PM. The meeting was called to order by Chair McKee Rodriguez with a quorum present (Councilmembers Mukia, Alareth, Mesa Gonzalez, Spears, and Chair). The meeting adjourned at 4:16 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved the minutes of the August 4, 2026, IGR committee meeting via motion and second.

Discussion Items

1. Resolution Supporting Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) Amid Methodist Trauma Center Plans

• Assistant City Manager Jeff Coyle and new Military Affairs Director Scott Jackson presented a proposed resolution reaffirming the city’s 2017 commitment to BAMC, the only Level 1 trauma facility within the Department of Defense (DoD).
• Jackson explained that BAMC’s unique mission includes training, sustaining deployable forces, and receiving all combat casualties. Maintaining its Level 1 certification requires a minimum volume of trauma patients (currently ~13,000 annually between BAMC and University Health).
• Methodist Healthcare announced intentions to upgrade its Level 3 trauma center to Level 2, effective October 1, 2026, with a year‑long certification process. Methodist stated the move is about patient choice: they want to keep patients within their system rather than transferring them to Austin or Houston. They noted they have 52 other markets where they operate Level 1 facilities. Methodist agreed not to pursue Level 1, only Level 2.
• Jackson reported that Methodist currently transfers about 1,167 patients per year to Level 1 facilities (out of 13,000 total trauma patients). The addition of a Level 2 center without increased demand could reduce volume at BAMC and University Health, threatening BAMC’s readiness.
• The draft resolution requests: reaffirmation of support for BAMC, an objective demand study, convening of STRAC (Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council) to coordinate a collaborative agreement ensuring BAMC’s patient volume, and establishing BAMC and University Health as the region’s primary Level 1 facilities.
• Councilmember Alderetic expressed concerns about blocking Methodist’s business decision, asking for more data on trauma capacity and patient transfers. She noted the chart lacked concrete numbers and questioned the “protect the status quo” framing.
• Councilmember Spears strongly supported the resolution, stating BAMC’s military readiness is a national security priority and that Methodist’s decision could invite further competition. She thanked staff for their work.
• Councilmember Mungia requested mapping of Level 1 trauma centers and long‑term growth projections, noting health care gaps on the south and east sides. She cautioned against saying “status quo” as it implies rejecting needed health care expansion.
• Councilmember Masekon’s office criticized the short notice, wanting earlier communication and more data on impacts to both Methodist and BAMC.
• Chair McKee Rodriguez noted the October 1 deadline had already passed and suggested bringing partners back for more information. The committee consensus was to defer action, gather more data (including capacity, volume, out‑of‑town transport data), and bring the resolution back to a future IGR meeting with enhanced briefings for all council members.

2. 90th State Legislative Program Update

• Sally Basur, Director of Government Affairs, presented the updated legislative program incorporating feedback from prior meetings. The four funding priorities remain: South Texas Parkway, downtown sports/entertainment district, flood infrastructure, and protecting CPS Energy’s municipal model.
• Key additions include: support for public/higher education (via Bear County Education Coalition), prevention of encroachment on military bases, funding for rail grade separations, and protecting local zoning authority.
• Chair McKee Rodriguez proposed extending the Project Marvel PFZ (Sports and Entertainment District) from 30 to 60 years to cover the Spurs Arena, convention center, and Alamo Dome. Jeff Coyle cautioned that doubling the state’s revenue-giveback period would be a “tall ask,” but the committee agreed to explore it.
• Councilmember Mungia asked to include language supporting expansion of health care capacity (hospitals) on the south/east sides. Councilmember Alderetic supported this, and staff will research state mechanisms.
• Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez requested support for protecting CPS Energy, maintaining local control, and adding “daycare/child care facilities” to the 300‑foot alcohol buffer zone exemption (Chapter 4 of Local Government Code). Staff agreed to explore.
• Councilmember Spears requested specific bill tracking and flood mitigation project lists; staff will provide regular updates.
• Councilmember Alderetic pushed for stronger state and federal grant pursuit, and staff confirmed a grants training session is planned.
• The committee voted to approve the legislative program for full council consideration on October 7, 2026. The motion carried.

3. Presentations from Community Partners

• Vic Boyer, President/CEO of SAMCO, briefed on transportation funding: $14 billion secured over 25 years; $6 billion in projects under construction; future needs estimated at $50‑55 billion by 2050. He highlighted rail grade separation grants and the need to protect highway funds from diversion. SAMCO will support gradual increase of Prop 7 and reauthorization of the Texas Mobility Fund.
• Julia Grizzard, Executive Director of Bear County Education Coalition, presented the “Bear Builds” campaign focusing on four legislative priorities: school operations funding, special education funding, school safety/mental health, and early childhood education. She noted school districts are spending $100/student on safety but receiving only ~$20/student from the state. The committee expressed support for the coalition’s efforts and noted overlap with the city’s education goals.

Key Outcomes

• BAMC Resolution: Committee deferred action to gather additional data (demand trends, out‑of‑town transport numbers, long‑term projections). Staff to bring back more information and brief all council members before a future vote. The committee’s direction is to send the item to A‑session rather than B‑session for faster action.
• 90th Legislative Program: Approved by committee vote to advance to full council on October 7, 2026. Several amendments were discussed and will be explored prior to full council: extending the PFZ period (Chair McKee Rodriguez), adding hospital capacity language (Councilmember Mungia), including child care facilities in alcohol buffer zones (Councilmember Mesa Gonzalez), and continued focus on grants and local control.
• Next Steps: Staff will provide individual briefings to council members not on IGR, prepare the legislative program for full council on October 7, and continue bill tracking as the 90th session approaches. The next IGR meeting will include updated information on the BAMC issue.